Last month, I joined our friends at the Albert Shanker Institute and the American Federation of Teachers for a conference on the ways we can protect and defend American democracy. In my opening remarks, I spoke about the risks that voter suppression, fake news, and a lack of election security pose to our country’s very foundation.

The founders of four Onward Together partner and grantee organizations also joined the conference as panelists that day: Eric Holder of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, Andrew Gillum of Forward Florida, Leah Greenberg of Indivisible, and María Teresa Kumar of Voto Latino.

Meanwhile, it’s a busy time for all of the groups we work with. Our friends at Run for Something Action Fund have just launched WhereCanIRun.org, an all-new site that helps potential candidates decide where, how, and when to run for office. Dream Big Nevada, one of our grantee organizations, is raising money to cover DACA renewal fees for eligible young people — and you can contribute today.

In this Wednesday, May 29, 2019 file photo, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton delivers Hunter College’s commencement address in New York. On Friday, Sept. 6, 2019, The Associated Press reported on stories circulating online incorrectly asserting Clinton tweeted Sept. 1, “Hurricane Dorian has already devastated the Bahamas and is about to devastate the Great State of Florida. Please help us help the victims by giving a huge donation to Clinton Foundation Today. We rebuilt Haiti and we’ll rebuild Nassau and Orlando.” It was from a parody account with the moniker @MadamPresident to dupe users. Clinton’s real account is @HillaryClinton. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Albert Shanker Institute Published: 16 September 2019Hillary Rodham Clinton will deliver an opening keynote on the future of democracy at an all-day conference Tuesday held in Washington, D.C. and co-organized by the Albert Shanker Institute, the American Federation of Teachers and Onward Together, the organization founded and led by Clinton.

Following Clinton’s address, a lineup of prominent activists, politicians and intellectuals, led by AFT President Randi Weingarten, will discuss and debate how democratic norms and institutions are under assault, with a particular focus on “Civic Engagement in an Age of Democratic Peril.” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) will address the lunch session and former Attorney General Eric Holder will anchor the afternoon panel “Lift Every Voice: Voter Rights and Voter Suppression.”

Hillary Rodham Clinton, received an endorsement from the American Federation of Teachers on Saturday. Mrs. Clinton with Randi Weingarten, the president of the teachers’ union, in New York in 2003.Credit Louis Lanzano/Associated Press

Press Release

For Release:

Saturday, July 11, 2015

WASHINGTON—On Saturday, the executive council of the American Federation of Teachers voted overwhelmingly to endorse Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary for president of the United States. The AFT is the first national union to endorse a candidate in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary.

“In vision, in experience and in leadership, Hillary Clinton is the champion working families need in the White House,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten. “Hillary Clinton is a tested leader who shares our values, is supported by our members, and is prepared for a tough fight on behalf of students, families and communities. That fight defines her campaign and her career. In Arkansas, Hillary fought to expand access to early childhood education and care. As first lady, she fought for the right to affordable, high-quality healthcare and helped win that right for our youngest citizens. As senator, she fought for education funding and workers’ rights, and she defended public service workers who came to our nation’s defense on Sept. 11. And as secretary of state, she promoted democracy throughout the world, lifting up the worth and dignity of all people—men and women, gay and straight.”

Weingarten continued, “Hillary Clinton, a product of public schools herself, believes in the promise of public education. From early childhood learning through higher education, she sees how that promise can create real opportunity for kids, building a much-needed bridge to the middle class. Hillary understands that to reclaim the promise of public education, policymakers need to work with educators and their unions. She’s ready to work with us to confront the issues facing children and their families today, including poverty, wage stagnation, income inequality and lack of opportunity. Hillary is the leader we need to help us reclaim the promise of public education and, indeed, of America.”

Upon learning of the union’s endorsement, Clinton said, “For nearly a century, the American Federation of Teachers has worked to expand opportunity for the people and communities they serve. I’m honored to have the support of AFT’s members and leaders, and proud to stand with them to unleash the potential of every American.”

Clinton continued, “I know from my own family that teachers have the power to change lives. We need to make sure every child has access to a quality public education and teachers with the tools to help them succeed. Our country’s future depends on the education we give all our children — and giving them the best means working with the teachers and school personnel who help shape their futures each day.”

As in past elections, the AFT’s 1.6 million members will be a powerful organizing force behind our endorsed candidate. Leading up to November 2016, AFT members are expected to make more than 1 million phone calls and knock on more than 500,000 doors.

The AFT’s endorsement comes a month after Clinton attended an executive council meeting in Washington, D.C. At that meeting, she said, “It is just dead wrong to make teachers the scapegoats for all of society’s problems. Where I come from, teachers are the solution. And I strongly believe that unions are part of the solution, too.”

Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley also spoke with the executive council at that meeting. All potential and announced candidates were invited to complete a questionnaire, and those who returned the questionnaire were invited to meet with the council. No Republican candidates responded to the invitation.

The AFT has conducted a long, deliberative process to assess which candidate would best champion the issues of importance to our members, their families and communities. Members have been engaged online, through the “You Decide” website, through several telephone town halls, and through multiple surveys—reaching more than 1 million members.

Additionally, over the past few weeks, the AFT has conducted a scientific poll of our membership on the candidates and key issues. The top issues members raised were jobs and the economy and public education. Seventy-nine percent of our members who vote in Democratic primaries said we should endorse a candidate. And by more than a 3-to-1 margin, these members said the AFT should endorse Clinton.

This week, the AFT will begin its biennial TEACH conference, a gathering of thousands of educators. Weingarten will address the conference at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, with press availability to follow. Her remarks will include information about the endorsement. For more information on the TEACH conference, please email Laura Pometto at lpometto@aft.org (link sends e-mail).

# # # #

The AFT represents 1.6 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.

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